Progress

I have been doing really well with this whole “Eat better and exercise” thing. I realize that it is still early on, and that I will most likely (No, ABSOLUTELY) falter and stall in this progress, but I am really enjoying how I am feeling.

My gym experiences have been good, except that I need to figure out the whole music thing. Music is a must have to stay motivated for me. I made Michelle’s day when I told her that when I need to kick ass and get motivated I listen to Olympic Fanfare themes. I don’t think she guffawed that much since she found out that my father called the hideous pink inside my corner cupboard “Titty Pink”. (Yes, yes he did. Sigh)

Back to the music thing. My headphones are too small to work with the TV treadmills and since I prefer music anyway, I am going to have to get some kind of pocket/waistband carrier for my portable CD player.

Over all, it is going differently than other fitness programs I have tried in the past. Instead of feeling like I am getting my ass kicked by my work out, I feel like I am making IT work for ME.

I have certain things in place that make my chance of succeeding in this venture much higher:

1. I have a dedicated “Work Out Pal”. That would be, Bridgy. She is very dedicated. What keeps her motivated is that she knows I have no vehicle at my disposal during the day and so she knows that if she doesn’t come pick me up, I won’t be able to go. It’s good for both of us.

2. I joined a gym. It is just easier for me to have a set place to go with everything I need in it. I love the improvements they have made and it has a lot of perks and pluses. In addition, the hot tub and steam room really help in the recovery process so I don’t feel like hud when I am finished.

3. I am motivated. I freaked out at my recent weight gain and back injury and just how I have been feeling lately. I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired, my health sucks, I have significant medical problems and I need all the help I can give my body, so it is time for a CHANGE.

4. I have long term and short term goals for diet and exercise. My short term goal is to have lost a total of 25 pounds by the end of March when I perform “The Messiah” . I am also planning on being able to run one full mile without stopping by then (I don’t care how long it takes, I just want to be able to run it). My long term goals are to continue to cut out as much refined sugar and flour as I can, up my iron intake, drink more water and to eventually run 2 miles in 16 minutes. I am also going to work to a 5 K. race this year and quite possibly a much longer relay race the next.

5. I have good supplemental tools: I have been reading a lot more fitness magazines. My friend Michelle is the running goddess and has loads of good tips for all things healthy, and I found the coolest online meal and fitness tracker thanks to Jess in Logan.

www.sparkpeople.com

I have mentioned this before, but I’ll say a bit more about it. First, it is FREE. Second, it is awesome. You can make it as much or as little as you want in terms of involvement. There are forums, articles, goal charts, meal plans, exercise plans, you can make your own personal page, contests, award points, it has EVERYTHING. And did I mention it is all FREE?????

It has really helped me to keep track of my diet and work out goals, and it includes quality of life goals as well. I track everything I eat on there, which is essential for me to do at first since I want to lose 15-ish pounds by April. Here is a sample of the nutrition tracker. I couldn’t get the whole thing on here because it is too big, but this is the weekly progress chart that is on the bottom of the page of every day you track so that you not only see the daily information, but the bigger picture as well.

NUTRIENTS:	GOAL	2/1	2/2	2/3	2/4	2/5	2/6	2/7
Calories:	1200 – 1550					787	754	1,233
Fat:	27 – 60					22	11	24
Carbohydrates:	135 – 252					98	139	181
Protein:	30 – 136					56	35	37
Iron, Fe:	100 – 150					25	123	51

I have lost 10 lbs. since January!

Yay!

Only15-17 pounds left to go…

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